Street-sweeper



(No Model.)

l 3 Sheets-Sheet 2. B. J. SMITH. STREET SWEEPBR.

Patented June 248. 1898.

El Hmm m w: Noms Pneus c.. Phorum-mo., wAsrjwGfoN. D. c.

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

E. J. SMITH.

STREET SWBEPBR.

No. 606,248. r Patented June 28,1898.

ELDRIDGE J. SMITH, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE STREET CLEANING COMP DRIA, VIRGINIA.

ANY, OF SAME PLACE AND ALEXAN- STREET-SWEEPER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 606,248, dated J' une 28, 1898.

Application filed September l0, 1897. Serial No. 651,207. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern.-

Be it known that I, ELDRIDGE J. SMITH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Vashington, in the District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Portable Street-Sweepers and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention,'such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same,

My present invention relates to improvements in hand-operated and hand-propelled street sweepers or cleaners, and hasfor its ob-` jects to provide a device of this character which willl be simple and cheap. in its construction, light and easy of manipulation, andv one comprising a4 comparatively few number of parts.

It is the purpose of my invention to provide a street sweeper or cleaner that can be readily and easily propelled by a person with comparatively little exertion and which 4will effectively perform the work for which it is intended.

It is a further purpose of my invention to provide improved and novel mechanism for operating the rotary brush, and it is a still further purpose of the invention to provide a novel and simple manner of fastening the tufts into the brush-head.

Briey stated, my invention comprises a box or carrier preferably mounted on wheels and provided with a handle by which it can be propelled or advanced forward, a rotary brush mounted at the front or mouth of the box or carrier, and mechanism operated by oscillating the handle whereby the brush may be; given a continuous or intermittent rotaryv movement in the same direction to suit'the will of the operator. 1

To these and other ends the invention com-l prises the novel features of construction and1 combinations of parts hereinafter described and then more definitely pointed out in the claims.

In order to enable others skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I will proceed to describe the samein detail, reference being had for this purpose to the accompanying drawings, in which-- Y Figure l is a perspective view ofone form of street-cleaner constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2is azview of the rotary brush. Figs. 3 and are detail views of the brush, showing the mannerof securing the tufts to the head. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of one of the adjustable bearing-plates for the A brushgN Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view showing one manner of securing the Vscraper-blade in position upon the bottom of `the box or carrier.

A Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail View of one form of mechanism for imparting a rotary motion to the brush. Fig. 8

-is a vertical section of the same, taken on the line a; on, Fig. 7. 'modified form of device for 'shifting the Fig. 9 is a detail View of a `is a perspective view of the stationary plate 30, oscillating part 35, and spring 37, illustrated in Fig. 9.

Referring now to the drawings, the reference-numeral l designates the sides at the box or receiver, and 2 the top,which is preferably composed of sheet metal and tacked on or otherwise secured to the sides. To the rear of the ,box, upon each side, is secured one end of an upward and rearwardly extending springmetal bar 3, the upper portion of which is bent, as shown in Fig. 1 and secured to a wooden or other block 4, and the lower ends ofthis metal bar 3 are bent slightly outward, Vas at .55, to provide a space for the runnerwheels 6, which latter are jonrnaled in the ends'fof said bar and in the sides of the box.

`Thefront portion of the box or receiver is open to receive the litter or dirt, and projecting' from the lower front edge of the box is a scraper-blade 7, the ends of i which are bent upward, as at 8, and secured to the sides of the said box. To the underside of the scraperbladeI secure one or more hanged `-plates 9, as shown in Fig. 6, which-project beyond or overhang the edge of the 'box-bottom l0, so

Ico

as to securely retain the blade in position. It will thus be seen that the scraper-blade can be easily and quickly removed when occasion demands, and to accomplish this it is only necessary to remove the screws by which it is secured to the sides of the box or receiver. The rear end of the box is provided with a hinged door12, which is held closed by hooks 12', as shown in Fig. 1, or preferably held closed by gravity-catches 13, one of which is shown in detail in Fig. 12. This end door is preferably hinged at its lower edge, so that it will fall open by gravity when the hooks 12' or catches 13 are thrown out of engagement with it.

To the front or mou th of the box or receiver, about midway between the top and bottom thereof, is mounted a rotary brush, the shaft l5 .of which is journaled in adjustable bearing-plates 16, which are secured to the sides of the box .or receiver, as shown in detail in Fig. 5. Each of the bearing-plates 16 is providedwith one or more slots 17, through which the fastening-screws 18 are passed, and projecting from the front edge of each plate is an apertured ear 19, which forms a bearing for the brush-shaft l5. By reason of the slots '17 and screws 18 the bearingplates can be adjusted lup or down, so as to shift the position of the brush with relation to the scraperblade as it becomes worn. To one end of the brush-shaft 15 is keyed a ratchet-wheel 20,

upon either side of which is a circular plate or disk-21 for the purpose of guiding the forward end of the ratchet-yoke, hereinafter to be described.

The mechanism for imparti-ng a rotary motion to the brush comprises a pairof ratchetbars 22 and 23, which are made to alternately engage with the upper and lower teeth of the ratchet -wheel when reciprocated back and forth, so as to rotate the brush in one direction only, either continuously or intermittently. For convenience I will term the ratchet-bars 22 and 23 a ratchet-yoke, since they are secured together at their front and rear ends, as shown. Projecting backward from the lower ratchet-bar is an extensionpiece 24,which maybe curved downward, as at 25, Fig. 7, or which may be straight, as at 26, Fig. 9. In construction the distance between the ratchet-bars 22 23 is slightly greater than the diameter of Athe ratchet-wheel 20, and in order to impart a continuous rotary movemen-t to the brush it is necessary to throw the ratchet-bars 22 and 23 alternately into and lout of engagement with the ratchet-wheel.

The teeth of the upper ratchet-bar 22 rest by gravity upon the upper edge of the ratchetwheel and are arranged to rotate the said wheel when driven forward only. It is necessary now to provide some means for 'throwing the teeth of the upper bar out of engagement with the ratchet-wheel and likewise throw the teeth of the lower ratchet-bar into engagement, so that when the ratchet-yoke is drawn backward the teeth of the said lower bar 23 will engage with the under edge of the ratchet-wheel and continue the rotary movement started by the upper ratchet-bar in its forward movement. I have shown several Ways of thus shifting the ratchet-yoke, as will be seen by referring to the drawings. In Figs. 1, 7, and 8 this mechanism comprises an oscillating plate 27, pivoted to the side of the box or receiver, as shown in cross-section in Fig. 8. 'Io the said oscillating plate 27 is Iixedahorizontal ledge or projection 28, upon which rests and abuts the rearward curved extension 25 of the ratchet-yoke, and to the front of said oscillating plate is screwed a spring-plate 29, that is adapted to exert a slight frictional pressure upon the side face of the extension-piece 24, just suflicient to insure the move-ment or oscillation of the plate 27 with the movement of the ratchet-yoke. The spring-plate 29 projects somewhat above the extension-piece 24 and acts as a guide for the same.

Figs. 9, 10, and 11 represent modifications of the mechanism for shifting the ratchetyoke. In Fig. 9 the reference-numeral 30 indicates a vertically-adjustable plate which is secured to the side of the box or receiver and is provided with stop-lugs 31 and 32, the latter one of which has an inclined stopwall 33. Pivoted to the plate 30 at 34 is an oscillating plate 35, provided with an i11- clined ledge or shoulder 36, (shown in dotted lines in Fig. 9,) and upon which rests the straight extension 26 of the ratchet-yoke. To the oscillating plate 35 is secured a springplate 37, which is adapted to exert a pressure upon the side face of the extension 26 to cause the oscillating plate 35 to move with the movement of the ratchet-yoke, for the purpose heretofore set out with reference to the structure shown in Figs. 7 and 8. The springplate 37 may be made to exert a greater or less pressure upon the extension 25 by tightening or loosening the screw 38. The stoplugs 31 32 act to limit the movement of lthe oscillating plate 35, as will be understood.

In practice I prefer to gradually-widen the extension-piece 26 toward its rear ends, as at 39, as shown in plan View in Fig. 11, so as to secure a proper frictional contact with the spring-plate 37.

The mechanism for opera-ting or reciprocating the ratchet-yoke comprises a rod 45, which is attached to said yoke, as shown, the angle between these parts being substantially obtuse, and the outer end. of said rod 45'is pivoted to an oscillating handle 46, that'is pivoted to the block 4. The said handle 46 is preferably provided with handholds 47 ,whereby ease in operation is effected. In order to limit the movement of the oscillating handle 46, I have provided an adjustable stop-plate 48, as shown in Fig. 1, said stop being provided with a slot-and-scre-w connection with the block 4, whereby it may be adjusted to and from the handle.- .Owingto the fact that the bars 3 are made of spring metal, they ef- IOO IIO

IZO

fectively take up the jar from the oscillating.

handle striking against the stop-plate 48. Thus the jaris not transmitted to the machine propel` as it otherwise would be.

My improved manner of forming the brush consists in providing the brush-head 49 with a series of apertures 50, spirally or otherwise arranged around the periphery of said head, and then placing the tufts 5l therein, as shown. apertures in the head I drive a block or wedge 52 into each aperture upon each side of the tuft, the blocks thus tending to spread or widen the tufts and at the same time rmly secure them in position in the head. This manner of forming the brush is cheap and `simple and produces a very desirable article.

The operation of my improved sweeper will be readily understood from the foregoing description. u The box or receiver is propelled or advanced in the direction of the dirt or litter to be gathered, and the same gathers and accumulates upon the scraper blade. The operator then gives one or two quick oscillatory movements to the handle, whereby the brush is rotated, throwing the accumulated dirt back into the box orreceiver.`

It is to be noted that it is not necessary to operate the brush continuously; but this may be done, if desired. When the box or receiver becomes loaded or full, the catches holding the rear door are released and the box tilted backward until the handle portion touches the ground, and .the content-s of the box or receiver will then fall out.

Minor changes or additions to the general construction of my sweeper may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Vhat I claim is- 1. In a street-sweeper,the combination with a box or receiver, of a brush journaled upon said box, an oscillating handle, a reciprocating rod operated by said oscillating handle and a connection between said rod and brush whereby the latter is rotated when the rod is reciprocated.

2. In a portable sweeping-machine,the combination with a dirt-receiver, of a brush j ournaled upon said sweeper, a toothed wheel carried by the brush, a pair of racks arranged respectively above and below the said toothed wheel and adapted to be alternately brought into contact with said wheel to impart a rotary motion thereto, and means for reciprocating the said racks.

3. In a portable street-sweeper, the combination with a box or receiver, of a brush journaled upon said box, a ratchet-wheel carried by the brush, a ratchet-yoke cooperating with the said ratchet-wheel, an oscillating handle, and a connection between said oscillating handle and the ratchet-yoke whereby the brush is given a continuons rotary movement in one direction during the oscillation of the handle.

4. In a portable street-sweeper, the combination with the box or receiver, of a brush After the tufts are inserted into the.

journaled upon the said box, a ratchet-wheel carried by the brush-head, a ratchet-yoke cooperating with the said ratchet-wheel to drive the brush in one direction, means for reciprocating the ratchet-yoke, and mechanism for throwing the teeth of the said ratchet-yoke into and out of engagement with the ratchetwheel during its rotation.

5. In a portable street-sweeper, the combination with the box or receiver, having an open front end, a brush journaled at the said front end of the box, an oscillating handle, a connection between said` handle and brush for imparting a continuous rotary movement to the latter in one direction,- and an adjustable stop-plate for limiting the movement of the said oscillating handle.

6. In a portable sWeeping-machine,the oombinat-ion with a wheeled box or receiver having an openfront end and a door at the rear end, handle-bars secured to the sidesof the said box and having their lower ends bent outward to accommodate the runner-wheels and provide bearings for the runner-wheel axles, a block carried by the upper portion of the handle-bars, an oscillating handle pivoted to said block, a brush journaled at the front end of the box or receiver, a ratchetwheel carried by the brush, a ratchet-yoke cooperating with the said ratchet-Wheel to rotate the brush, and a connection between the ratchet-yoke and oscillating handle to operate the said yoke.

7. In a portable street-sweeper, the combination with a dirt-receiver, of a rotary brush j ournaled upon said receiver, a ratchet-wheel carried by the brush, a ratchet-yoke coperating with the brush to imparta rotary movement thereto, an oscillating plate upon which a portion of said ratchet-yoke bears, said oscillating plate being arranged to shift the position of the ratchet-yoke with respect to the ratchet-wheel, and means for reciprocating the ratchet-yoke.

8. In a portable street-sweeper, the combination with a dirt-receiver, of a rotary brush IOO IIO

journaled upon said receiver, a ratchet-wheel i carried by the brush, a ratchet-yoke coperating with the ratchet-wheel to impart a rotary movement to the brush, an oscillating plate upon which a portion of said ratchetyoke rests said oscillating plate being arranged to shift the position of the ratchetyoke with respect to the ratchet-wheel, and a spring-plate acting upon a part of the said yoke to insure its operation, and means for reciprocating the ratchet-yoke to rotate the brush.

9. In a portable street-sweeper, the combination with a dirt-receiver, of a rotary brush journaled upon said receiver, a ratchet-wheel carried by the brush, a ratchet-yoke coperating with the ratchet-wheel to rotateV the brush, a rearward extension-piece on said ratchet-yoke, an oscillating plate having a ledge or projection upon which said extensionpiece rests, said oscillating plate being ararranged to shift the position of the yoke with respect to the teeth of the ratchet-Wheel, stops for limiting the inovementof the said oseil- Iating plate, and means for reciprocating the ratchet-yoke to rotate the brush.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

ELDRIDGE J. SMITH. Witnesses:

J. GRANVILLE MEYERS, Jr., M. H. K. SMITH. 

